TOPIC

/ company

Bank of East Asia

(东亚银行)

Bank of East Asia

东亚银行

Founded in 1918, Bank of East Asia is the largest independent local bank and third largest bank in Hong Kong. It was co-founded in 1918 by Li Koon-chun, grandfather of David Li Kwok-po, who has been its chief executive since 1981.

Chairman / President

David LI Kwok-po

CEO / Managing Director

LI Man-kiu、LI Man-bun

CFO / Finance Director

LI Man-kiu、LI Man-bun

Industry

Finance

Website

hkbea.com

Headquarters address

Hong Kong

Stock Code

SEHK: 0023
OTC Pink: BKEAY

Year founded

1918

Wee Hur Holdings has acquired One Bedford Place, a 26-storey office building in Tai Kok Tsui. Photo: Handout

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At least one branch of the Bank of East Asia (BEA) in Shanghai has banned mainland Chinese customers from opening Hong Kong bank accounts. Photo: May Tse

From our archives

On This Day | Hong Kong’s iconic Bank of China Tower opens in 1990 – SCMP archive

Opening 36 years ago today, the landmark skyscraper was Hong Kong’s tallest at the time.

17 May 2026 - 11:15AM

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Chinese AI stocks are surging. So why is Hong Kong’s tech index still falling?

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Gold, cruises and Dior: Hong Kong lenders aim to entice mainland China visitors

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1 May 2026 - 6:21PM

Mainland tourists flock to Tsim Sha Tsui during the Golden Week holiday on May 3, 2025. Photo: Nora Tam

Crime in Hong Kong

Police arrest man who used air gun to rob Hong Kong bank and recover HK$35,000

Suspect in custody after Bank of East Asia branch in Harbour View Centre in Wan Chai robbed by armed man who later fled on bicycle.

10 Apr 2026 - 10:25PM

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong banks’ collateral asset valuations to continue declining in 2026: S&P

The city’s commercial property market remains on a sustained downturn, as rents continue to fall and vacancy rates soar.

26 Feb 2026 - 8:18PM

Banking & finance

China’s property woes likely to hurt some Hong Kong banks’ 2025 earnings: Citi

Bank of China (Hong Kong) and Bank of East Asia could be affected the most as they have the highest exposure to China’s property sector.

11 Feb 2026 - 7:05AM

Residential buildings in Beijing’s Chaoyang Park on January 6, 2026. Photo: AP Photo

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

How lower US interest rates can help Hongkongers amid steady local prime rates

Most new mortgages, many corporate loans are based on interbank rates, which will continue to fall, monetary authority’s deputy chief says.

26 Jan 2026 - 11:30AM

A view of residential buildings in front of Lion Rock Hill on April 15, 2025. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s housing market gets a vote of confidence from major banks

Most financial institutions forecast price gains ranging from 5 to 10 per cent, supported by supply constraints and end-user demand.

12 Jan 2026 - 7:03PM

Interest rates

Hong Kong interbank rates forecast to drop on expected 2026 US monetary easing

Savings rates near zero prevent further prime rate reductions, though Hibor-linked loans will get cheaper, analysts say.

2 Jan 2026 - 7:00AM

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Standard Chartered keeps overweight call on China stocks, flags recovery in 2026

Despite renewed ‘bubble’ talk around AI valuations after a November sell-off, Standard Chartered says the cycle is different this time.

18 Dec 2025 - 7:30AM

Standard Chartered says Chinese equities are looking more compelling after a period of consolidation. Photo: Edmond So

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Hong Kong moves from theory to practice with real-value tokenised money, asset deals

Live transfers of tokenised deposits signal Hong Kong’s shift from proof of concept to production-grade digital-asset settlement.

13 Nov 2025 - 6:00PM

The HKMA has begun facilitating real-value transactions involving tokenised deposits and digital assets. Photo: May Tse

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Hong Kong picks second batch of banks, tech firms to test AI in finance

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15 Oct 2025 - 10:01PM

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Hong Kong banks battle for wealthy mainland clients during ‘golden week’ holiday

Hong Kong authorities estimate that as many as 1.54 million mainland visitors will cross the border during the eight-day holiday.

2 Oct 2025 - 11:55AM

Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)

Hong Kong’s eMPF could save US$6.5 billion for members in 10 years: regulator

Biggest MPF trustees – AIA, Sun Life, Manulife and HSBC – start move to the electronic platform from this week until the end of the year.

31 Aug 2025 - 1:12PM

The eMPF enables Hong Kong retirement scheme members to manage their accounts through a single digital platform. Photo: Nora Tam

Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s dollar-peg defence is bitter for borrowers as Hibor rises

Monetary authority’s successful defence of the US-dollar peg raises loan rates, putting pressure on borrowers and the property market.

26 Aug 2025 - 11:13AM

Banking & finance

Bank of East Asia profits rise on robust wealth-management business

First-half net profit jumps 14 per cent to HK$2.41 billion (US$308.6 million), beating analyst expectations.

21 Aug 2025 - 6:00PM

Banking & finance

China gives Hong Kong new yuan transfer cap as payment link starts

Starting from noon on Sunday, the 17 million registered users of Hong Kong’s FPS will be able to remit up to HK$10,000 per day to 298 million users on the mainland’s IBPS.

20 Jun 2025 - 8:32PM

An image of the Faster Payment System (FPS), which recorded 17 million users as of March 2025. Photo: handout

IPO

CATL’s dilemma: top-of-the-range Hong Kong IPO price may cap first-day gains

EV battery maker’s 6.7 per cent discount to its Shenzhen-traded shares is much lower than the average 25 per cent discount for dual-listed Chinese firms.

16 May 2025 - 3:33PM

CATL is expected to raise HK$35.66 billion from the sale of 135.6 million shares at HK$263 apiece. Photo: Reuters

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Stars align for mainland-listed firms’ Hong Kong share sales

30 A-share firms have applied to sell shares in Hong Kong this year, surpassing last year’s 16, according to exchange data.

8 May 2025 - 9:26AMvideocam

Banking & finance

Banks lure new wealthy clients with Liverpool, Jay Chou tickets in golden week push

Banks target growing pool of wealthy mainland Chinese visitors to Hong Kong during May 1-5 golden week holiday.

2 May 2025 - 7:10AMvideocam

Hong Kong property

China Vanke’s Hong Kong unit sees strong flat sales despite mortgage concerns

The embattled developer has sold 223 of the 228 flats on offer at its Le Mont residential project, according to agents.

15 Mar 2025 - 8:50PM

Potential buyers queue up for China Vanke’s Le Mont residential project in Tai Po at its sales office in Cheung Sha Wan on Saturday. Photo: Nora Tam

Banking & finance

Beijing allows Hong Kong banks to issue credit cards in China from March 1

The new rules will benefit lenders such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, Bank of East Asia and Hang Seng Bank, analysts say.

20 Feb 2025 - 11:21PM

Top Hong Kong banks like HSBC and Standard Chartered stand to gain from the opening up of China’s banking sector. Photo: Sam Tsang

Banking & finance

Hong Kong banks offer lai see, hampers, Asia Miles to returning workers

Companies have traditionally given staffers lai see packets on the first working day of the Lunar New Year.

30 Jan 2025 - 1:11PM

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From fireworks to cash, Hong Kong banks vie for mainland new year visitors

With 1.43 million mainlanders expected during the ‘golden week’, the city’s lenders prepare a slew of enticements.

3 Feb 2025 - 3:02PM

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Bank of East Asia

(东亚银行)

Singapore group deepens Hong Kong student housing push with tower purchase

Acquisition of 26-storey building highlights growing international appetite for city’s distressed assets as banks step up property disposals.

Trump’s forced-labour tariffs put Southeast Asia in the firing line

Mainlanders can still open bank accounts in Hong Kong despite new rules: HKMA

Hong Kong banks tighten rules in mainland China as Beijing pores over outflows

Some banks are exercising more caution with offshore accounts for their mainland China clients amid tighter investment controls from Beijing.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}On This Day | Hong Kong’s iconic Bank of China Tower opens in 1990 – SCMP archive

Opening 36 years ago today, the landmark skyscraper was Hong Kong’s tallest at the time.

Chinese AI stocks are surging. So why is Hong Kong’s tech index still falling?

Hong Kong has seen a string of blockbuster listings by Chinese AI firms in recent months. Yet the Hang Seng Tech Index remains deep in a slump.

Gold, cruises and Dior: Hong Kong lenders aim to entice mainland China visitors

With 980,000 visitors from the mainland expected during golden week, Hong Kong lenders line up incentives to capture wealthy customers.

Police arrest man who used air gun to rob Hong Kong bank and recover HK$35,000

Suspect in custody after Bank of East Asia branch in Harbour View Centre in Wan Chai robbed by armed man who later fled on bicycle.

Hong Kong banks’ collateral asset valuations to continue declining in 2026: S&P

The city’s commercial property market remains on a sustained downturn, as rents continue to fall and vacancy rates soar.

China’s property woes likely to hurt some Hong Kong banks’ 2025 earnings: Citi

Bank of China (Hong Kong) and Bank of East Asia could be affected the most as they have the highest exposure to China’s property sector.

How lower US interest rates can help Hongkongers amid steady local prime rates

Most new mortgages, many corporate loans are based on interbank rates, which will continue to fall, monetary authority’s deputy chief says.

Hong Kong’s housing market gets a vote of confidence from major banks

Most financial institutions forecast price gains ranging from 5 to 10 per cent, supported by supply constraints and end-user demand.

Hong Kong interbank rates forecast to drop on expected 2026 US monetary easing

Savings rates near zero prevent further prime rate reductions, though Hibor-linked loans will get cheaper, analysts say.

Standard Chartered keeps overweight call on China stocks, flags recovery in 2026

Despite renewed ‘bubble’ talk around AI valuations after a November sell-off, Standard Chartered says the cycle is different this time.

Hong Kong moves from theory to practice with real-value tokenised money, asset deals

Live transfers of tokenised deposits signal Hong Kong’s shift from proof of concept to production-grade digital-asset settlement.

Hong Kong picks second batch of banks, tech firms to test AI in finance

Second phase of sandbox initiative will see 20 banks and 14 tech firms testing 27 use cases, with focus on responsible use of generative AI.

Hong Kong banks battle for wealthy mainland clients during ‘golden week’ holiday

Hong Kong authorities estimate that as many as 1.54 million mainland visitors will cross the border during the eight-day holiday.

Hong Kong’s eMPF could save US$6.5 billion for members in 10 years: regulator

Biggest MPF trustees – AIA, Sun Life, Manulife and HSBC – start move to the electronic platform from this week until the end of the year.

Hong Kong’s dollar-peg defence is bitter for borrowers as Hibor rises

Monetary authority’s successful defence of the US-dollar peg raises loan rates, putting pressure on borrowers and the property market.

Bank of East Asia profits rise on robust wealth-management business

First-half net profit jumps 14 per cent to HK$2.41 billion (US$308.6 million), beating analyst expectations.

China gives Hong Kong new yuan transfer cap as payment link starts

Starting from noon on Sunday, the 17 million registered users of Hong Kong’s FPS will be able to remit up to HK$10,000 per day to 298 million users on the mainland’s IBPS.

CATL’s dilemma: top-of-the-range Hong Kong IPO price may cap first-day gains

EV battery maker’s 6.7 per cent discount to its Shenzhen-traded shares is much lower than the average 25 per cent discount for dual-listed Chinese firms.

Stars align for mainland-listed firms’ Hong Kong share sales

30 A-share firms have applied to sell shares in Hong Kong this year, surpassing last year’s 16, according to exchange data.

Banks lure new wealthy clients with Liverpool, Jay Chou tickets in golden week push

Banks target growing pool of wealthy mainland Chinese visitors to Hong Kong during May 1-5 golden week holiday.

China Vanke’s Hong Kong unit sees strong flat sales despite mortgage concerns

The embattled developer has sold 223 of the 228 flats on offer at its Le Mont residential project, according to agents.

Beijing allows Hong Kong banks to issue credit cards in China from March 1

The new rules will benefit lenders such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, Bank of East Asia and Hang Seng Bank, analysts say.

Hong Kong banks offer lai see, hampers, Asia Miles to returning workers

Companies have traditionally given staffers lai see packets on the first working day of the Lunar New Year.

From fireworks to cash, Hong Kong banks vie for mainland new year visitors

With 1.43 million mainlanders expected during the ‘golden week’, the city’s lenders prepare a slew of enticements.

On This Day | Hong Kong’s iconic Bank of China Tower opens in 1990 – SCMP archive